Tilting grain bin unloader

ABSTRACT

This disclosure relates to a power-operated swingable auger conveyor which can be moved from operative discharge position to an inoperative position without the operator leaving his station on the combine and wherein the bearing races forming the support of such conveyor are constructed of hot rolled steel bar which coact with commercial grade balls to provide an economical mounting.

United States Patent 1 Ryczek 1 TILTING GRAIN BIN UNLOADER Inventor:WilliamG. Ryczek, Kansas City,

[73] Assignee: Allis-Chalmers Corp., Milwaukee,

Wis.

22 Filed: June a, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 260,740

[52] U.S. Cl 214/8616, 198/64, 308/230,

308/230 [51] Int. Cl 360p I/42 [58] Field of Search 214/8326, 83.32;198/64, 308/230 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,882,49710/1932 -iarvis 308/230 3,638,812 2/1972 Ryczek 198/64 PrimaryExaminer-Richard E. Aegerter Att0rneyKenneth C. McKivett et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT This disclosure relates to a power-operated swingableauger conveyor which can be moved from operative discharge position toan inoperative position without the operator leaving his station on thecombine and wherein the bearing races forming the support of suchconveyor are constructed of hot rolled steel bar which coact withcommercial grade balls to provide an economical mounting.

5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTED NOV 13 I973 SHEET 1 BF 2 TILTINGGRAIN BIN UNLOADER This invention generally relates to combinedharvester threshers, and it is more particuiarly concerned with theprovision of an improved auger-type conveying system for unloadingthreshed material from a storage bin which is mounted on and forms partof the machine.

More particularly, this invention is concerned with an improved bearingconstruction for swingably mounting an auger conveyer on a combineharvester grain bin.

This invention is concerned with an improved bearing constructionadapted to be used in the conveyer shown and described in my U.S. Pat.No. 3,638,812 which issued Feb. 1, 1972.

It is an object of this invention to provide a reasonably priced bearingfor a slow-moving, intermittently used construction.

A further object of this inventionis to provide a bearing easilymanufactured and assembled from relatively inexpensive parts adapted foruse in moving an augertype conveyer extension to a desirable andconvenient position for storage and/or transport position.

The foregoing and other important objects and desirable featuresinherent in and encompassed by the invention will become apparent fromthe following detailed description and accompanying sheets of drawingsin which: I

, FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a combined harvester thresher embodyingthe invention showing an unloading auger conveyer in storage ortransport position extending parallel to and alongside the harvester;

FIG. 2 is a top view partially, in section taken on line "-11 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section view taken online IIIIII of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a section view taken on line IVIV of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a view of the lower portion of FIG. 2 taken on line V-V; and

FIG. 6 is a vertical section view similar to FIGS; 3 and 4 showing theball loading arrangement.

Referring to FIG. 1, it is seen that a self-propelled harvester isprovided including a cutting, conveying and threshing mechanism 10,aseparating mechanism 11, and a grain or storage bin 12; all of thesemechanisms being positioned on a frame structure chassis 13 carried byfront traction wheels 14 and dirigible rear wheels 16. Also mounted onchassis 13 is an engine 17 operatively connected to the mentionedmechanisms by conventional means (not shown). A grain elevator 18 ismounted adjacent the discharging portion of separating mechanism 11 ingrain-receiving relation thereto. Grain is moved by elevator 18 anddischarged in grain bin 12. A transversely horizontally extendingunloading auger-type conveyer 19 (FIG. 2) is journaled at one end in asidewall of grain bin 12 (by means not shown). Conveyer 19 extendshorizontally'justabove the floor of bin 12 through wall2l thereof. Theaforesaid journaled end of conveyer 19 is operatively connected toengine 17 for being driven by same by means (not shown). Conveyer 19includes a central shaft 22 upon which auger flighting 23 ismounted. Theportion of conveyer 19 which extends outwardly from grain bin wall 21 isenclosed in a tube 24 (FIG. 2) carried by wall 21. The outer end of tube24 terminates at approximately a 45 angle facing rearwardly and thisouter end of the tube 24 is turned over to provide a fastening flangeportion 26. A hot rolled bar 27 (See FIGS. 3 and 4) is formed into aring configuration and is attached to flange portion 26 by means ofbolts 28 which are attached to the inner portion of bar 27 which formsan inner race. A hot rolled bar 29 is formed into a ring configurationand is positioned in surrounding relation to race 27 to form an outerrace. The two races 27 and 29 are each provided with identical grooves31 in which are received balls 32. The balls 32 that can be used in thiscombination are commercial grade balls of no special alloy and with nospecial finish or heat treatment. In other words, the most reasonablypriced balls obtainable are used.

These grooves 31 which are machined into races 27 and 29 are configuredto present a Gothic arch appearance so that each race provides twopoints of contact with each ball. In other words, the inner part 33 ofeach grove 31 has a radius less than a ball 32 and the outer part orsides 34 of groove 31 has a radius slightly larger than a ball 32 sothat each ball can contact two points in the outer part of groove 31.Inasmuch as balls 32 are harder than the hot rolled races 27 and 29, theballs 32 soon become seated in the races with usage.

A junior channel member 35 is formed in a circle and is attached to theouter peripheral surface of race 29. Channel member 35 is provided witha ring guide element 36 to which is attached a chain 37.

Race 27 is provided with an opening 38 (FIG. 6) therethrough which islarger than balls 32 and permits easy assembly of the bearing. The racesare positioned in operating position and approximately balls 32 areinserted through opening 38 until a complete circle of balls whichsubstantially contact each other are positioned in grooves 31. At thispoint, a plug member 39 is inserted in opening 38 and is welded to race27 for maintaining balls 32 in position and the bearing assembled.

The periphery of plate 41 is welded to race 29 while the inner portionthereof is attached to anger extension tube 42 for movement therewith.Race 27 is provided with a slot 43 which receives a nylon seal 44contacting plate 41.

An unloading auger conveyer 46 including tube 42 has a counter balancingspring mechanism 47 connected between tube 42 and bin 12. A strap 48carried by chassis 13 assists in supporting conveyer 46 when theconveyer is being carried in transport position as shown in FIG. 1.

Inside tube 42 a shaft 49 (FIG. 2) is mounted. The outboard end of shaft49 is journaled in a bearing (not shown) carried by tube 42. Augerflighting 51 is attached to shaft 49 as by welding. The inboard end ofshaft 49 is attached to one end of a universal joint 52 which isattached to one end of shaft 22.

A double acting hydraulic cylinder 53 is vertically mounted fromsidewall 21 by means of a structural member 54 carried by wall 21.Hydraulic cylinder 53 is operatively connected to the hydraulic systemof the harvester and can be controled from the operators station thereofby conventional means (not shown). The distal end of the rod 56 ofhydraulic cylinder 53 is connected to chain 37 by means of a plate 57 asis shown in FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. I, it is seen that chain 37 which is attached to ringguide element 36 on junior channel member 35 and such chain is mountedabout adjustable idler pulleys 58 and 59. As shown in FIG. 1 idlerpulleys 58 and 59 are mounted on structural member 54 and rod 56 isshown in its extended position with conveyer 46 positioned in itstransport position extending along side the combine. Now if it isdesired to extend conveyer 46 to its unloading position, the operatorwould activate cylinder 53 to retract rod 56 which in turn would pullupwardly on plate 57 and chain 37 towhich it is connected. Such upwardpull on chain 37 causes ring guide element 36 and junior channel member35 to move counterclockwise as viewed in FlG. 2 bringing conveyer 46 upto a discharge position when hydraulic rod 56 has been retracted as faras possible.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In combination, a ball bearing having an inner and outer race for aswingable auger conveyor on a combine harvester for unloading a grainbin on said harvester and wherein said conveyor is mounted on said outerrace of said bearing for swingable movement from a transport positionalongside said harvester to a discharge position generally at rightangles to the longitudinal axis of said harvester, and means forswinging said auger conveyor from said transport position to saidunloading position, said means including a chain surrounding saidbearing outer race, a double acting hydraulic cylinder fixed on saidharvester operatively connected to said chain surrounding said bearing,said chain being connected to said outer bearing race so that when saidhydraulic cylinder is expanded said chain is pulled to move said augerconveyer to discharge position and when said hydraulic cylinder isretracted said chain is pulled in the opposite direction to move saidauger conveyor to transport position, the improvement comprising aninner race for said bearing being attached to a tube extending from saidgrain bin,

said race being formed from a hot rolled bar member, commercial gradeballs adapted to run in said race with said race having a groove thereinreceiving said balls in two point contact with each of said balls, saidouter race being positioned in surrounding relation to said balls, saidouter race being formed of a hot rolled bar member having a groovetherein complementary to said fist mentioned groove and being configuredto provide two points of contact with each of said balls so that as saidconveyor is swung by said cylinder said balls become seated in saidinner and outer races.

2. In the combination recited in claim 1 and wherein said grooves areprovided with a Gothic arch type of configuration so as to provide eachrace with two points of contact with each ball.

3. In the combination recited in claim 2 and wherein the central portionof each groove is formed with a radius slightly less than the radius ofsaid balls and the sides of said grooves are formed with a radiusslightly larger than said balls so that said balls contact portions ofsaid sides.

4. In the combination recited in claim 1 and wherein said inner race isprovided with an opening therethrough slightly larger than one of saidballs so that in assembling said bearing said balls are inserted intosaid grooves through said opening, and means attached to said inner racefor retaining said balls in said races and said bearing assembled.

5. In the combination recited in claim 4 and wherein said inner race isprovided with an opening therethrough slightly larger than one of saidballs so that in assembling said bearing said balls are inserted intosaid grooves through said opening, a plug member for retaining saidballs in said bearing, said plug member is attached to said inner raceas bywelding for retaining said bearing as assembled.

' 2 0 IIIINITED STATES- PATENT: OFFICE l CERTIFICATE QF ORREGTI N PotentNo. 3'771'676 Dated November 13'' 19-73 Ir ivenror(5) William G. RyczekIt is certified that error appears in the above-identified pat ent aridthat said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

r-Cblumn ne 0, "surrounding said bearing" should be deleted; line 33,"dis'" should ,be canceled; line 34, lip-Charge" s1 1ould be transport 7line 36, "trainsport" ;.should be discharge Column 4, line 8, '"fist"should read first This certificate supersedes Certificate of'Correctionissued issued Junein, 1974.

1 Signed and sealed this 8th day of October 1974.: i

(SEAL) Attest:

Meow- M. GIBSON- JR. i C. MARSHALL-: i Afttesting Officer Commissioner'of P at ents 2% I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTIONhg 5, 3,771,676 Dated November 13', 1973 Inventor-(s) 'William G. Ryczek the above-identified patent It is certified that error appears in wnbelow:

and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as sho "surroundingsaid bearing" should be q FCoIumn 3, line 30,

line 8, "fist" should read first deletedy Column 4,

Signed and sealed, this 11th day of June 19714..

. (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETC'HER",JR. C. MARSHALL DANE e C0mmi5Si0ner"0f PatentsAttesting Officer

1. In combination, a ball bearing having an inner and outer race for aswingable auger conveyor on a combine harvester for unloading a grainbin on said harvester and wherein said conveyor is mounted on said outerrace of said bearing for swingable movement from a transport positionalongside said harvester to a discharge position generally at rightangles to the longitudinal axis of said harvester, and means forswinging said auger conveyor from said transport position to saidunloading position, said means including a chain surrounding saidbearing outer race, a double acting hydraulic cylinder fixed on saidharvester operatively connected to said chain surrounding said bearing,said chain being connected to said outer bearing race so that when saidhydraulic cylinder is expanded said chain is pulled to move said augerconveyer to discharge position and when said hydraulic cylinder isretracted said chain is pulled in the opposite direction to move saidauger conveyor to transport position, the improvement comprising aninner race for said bearing being attached to a tube extending from saidgrain bin, said race being formed from a hot rolled bar member,commercial grade balls adapted to run in said race with said race havinga groove therein receiving said balls in two point contact with each ofsaid balls, said outer race being positioned in surrounding relation tosaid balls, said outer race being formed of a hot rolled bar memberhaving a groove therein complementary to said fist mentioned groove andbeing configured to provide two points of contact with each of saidballs so that as said conveyor is swung by said cylinder said ballsbecome seated in said inner and outer races.
 2. In the combinationrecited in claim 1 and wherein said grooves are provided with a Gothicarch type of configuration so as to provide each race with two points ofcontact with each ball.
 3. In the combination recited in claim 2 andwherein the central portion of each groove is formed with a radiusslightly less than the radius of said balls and the sides of saidgrooves are formed with a radius slightly larger than said balls so thatsaid balls contact portions of said sides.
 4. In the combination recitedin claim 1 and wherein said inner race is provided with an openingtherethrough slightly larger than one of said balls so that inassembling said bearing said balls are inserted into said groovesthrough said opening, and means attached to said inner race forretaining said balls in said races and said bearing assembled.
 5. In thecombination recited in claim 4 and wherein said inner race is providedwith an opening therethrough slightly larger than one of said balls sothat in assembling said bearing said balls are inserted into saidgrooves through said opening, a plug member for retaining said balls insaid bearing, said plug member is attached to said inner race as bywelding for retaining said bearing as assembled.